BRUSSELS SOUTH HOPES TO RESUME COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ON MAY 3

Brussels South Charleroi Airport has unveiled plans to partially resume commercial operations on Sunday, May 3.

The airport suspended commercial operations on March 24 meaning that it is currently only handling health, government and maintenance flights.

The Belgian airport states: "The aviation industry is going through an unprecedented crisis that has forced many airlines to ground some, if not all, of their fleets. This is not without consequences for airports. 

"The decrease in the occupancy rate and reduced frequencies for many routes has also had an impact on Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Faced with extensive travel restrictions, airlines have made the decision, one by one, to suspend their operations from/to the airport.

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"Faced with a loss of more than 90% of its business and the closure of services for passengers, and in light of the difficult financial situation, Brussels South Charleroi Airport made the decision to suspend all of its commercial activities.

"According to the latest recommendations by the Belgian National Security Council issued on 27 March 2020, and in accordance with the timetables announced by the airlines active at BSCA, the airport is now estimating that some of its commercial activities may resume on Sunday 3 May 2020 (23.59). 

"This date will be made official later, depending on how the situation evolves and in agreement with the different stakeholders in order to guarantee everybody’s safety.

"It is vital that the measures stipulated by health experts are respected in order to contain the Coronavirus epidemic. To this end, Brussels South Charleroi Airport highlights the importance of staying at home and is keen to make sure things can return to normal in the best possible circumstances for everybody’s health and wellbeing."

The news comes on the day that British Airways announced plans to suspend its operations at London Gatwick and American Airlines stated that it wants USD 12 billion in financial support from the US government to save staff jobs during the coronavirus crisis.